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Eichel Watching McDavid With Eager Anticipation |
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Pierre Lebrun confirms a story that I have been hearing more and more about lately.
Contract negotiations have begun between the Buffalo Sabres and the management team of super center Jack Eichel.
Eichel has one year remaining on his entry level contract. Eichel is eligible to sign his new contract on July 1.
There is no doubt that Camp Eichel is watching Connor McDavid's new contract negotiations with eager anticipation. The Sabres would be wise to lock up Eichel on a new eight year pact. Eichel is likely to sign a new deal that will pay him $10 million per season.
In his next contract, Eichel wil be looking to recoup the lucrative performance bonus that he lost out on in the final game of the 2016-17 season.
Eichel missed a $2 million performance bonus by just 0.005 percent. Eichel would have achieved the performance bonus had he finished among the NHL’s top 10 in points per game last season.
Eichel scored had 57 points in 61 games and finished 11th in the NHL by averaging 0.934 points per game. Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl edged out Eichel in finishing 10th by averaging 0.939 points per game with 77 points in 82 games. Draisaitl passed Eichel by scoring one goal and an assist in Edmonton's final game of the season against Vancouver.
A high ankle sprain caused Eichel to miss the first 21 games at the beginning of last season. Eichel suffered the injury during a freak collision with teammate Zemgus Girgensons while the two men were battling during a power play drill in practice.
Elliotte Friedman is reporting that McDavid is in the process of negotiating his new deal with the Edmonton Oilers. McDavid's new contract is reportedly in the neighbourhood of $13.25M AAV range, for eight seasons. Neither the Oilers nor McDavid’s agent are commenting on the AAV and term.
With the NHL salary cap rising to $75M next season, high tide will rise up and lift all ships.
Last week, there was a report at the NHL Draft that the Oilers were concerned their captain may want a five year term similar to the second contracts of John Tavares and Steven Stamkos.
Locking up McDavid to an eight year contract will give the Oilers cost certainty moving forward until McDavid is 29 years old. McDavid will turn 21 in mid-January.
Who knows how much the NHL salary cap will inflate to in the next five seasons. The eight year term is better for the Oilers in that they can lock in the McDavid AAV and build around it.
Like Eichel, McDavid has one year remaining on his entry level contract.
McDavid was the first overall pick at the 2015 NHL Draft. Eichel was the second overall pick in 2015. Both young men are the franchise players for their respective clubs.
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LA Kings insider Jon Rosen tweeted Tuesday that the Kings will sign soon Rinne free agent Notre Dame goalie Cal Petersen To an NHL entry level contract.
Last week at the NHL Draft, Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill announced he would not be signing Petersen to a pro contract and that the goalie would become a UFA on June 30.
"I've enjoyed interacting with Cal Petersen and wish him the best but at this point I don't believe he'll be signing with the Sabres."
By going to the unrestricted free agent route on June 30, Petersen will likely NOT be signing with the Sabres.
Petersen was the 5th round pick of the Sabres at the 2013 NHL Draft.
Botterill said he's disappointed but "we will move on".
Botterill said he has a couple of veteran goalies in mind to contact about job in his organization.
Petersen was the captain of the Fighting Irish last season. Notre Dame played in the NCAA Final Four. He posted a 2.22 GAA and .926 save percentage in 2016-17.
Buffalo selected Petersen in the 5th round (#129) at the 2013 NHL Draft.
Sounds to me like Petersen wants to skip playing in the AHL and start his career in an NHL net. Buffalo was in no position to hand their starting goalie job to a 22 year old college kid.
Petersen certainly will not dethrone Jonathon Quick from his crease in Botox City. However, the 31 year old Quick has been an injury prone goalie the last three seasons. Petersen is in a position
to be the Kings' backup goalie and the starter in AHL Ontario.
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Star Tribune writer Micheal Russo says he is hearing UFA goalie Chad Johnson is very likely returning to the Sabres.
I told you last week that Sabres GM Jason Botterill is searching for a veteran free agent goalie. A Robin Lehner-Chad Johnson goalie battery will be GM formidable for the Sabres, who allreblooking to suppress opponent shot attempts and lower shots on goal against. Johnson was a well liked teammate in the abuffalo room. Ditto Lehner, an RFA who was given a qualifying offer earlier this week.
Last week, Botterill signed Linus Ullmark to a two year contract extension. A Johnson UFA signing in Buffalo would make Ullmark the #1 tendy in AHL Rochester.
Botterill is tasked with restoring order and winning to both the Sabres and Amerks. Having Ullmark tending the bars in Rochester will go long way to giving his team a solid chance to win every night. The Amerks will be a playoff team with Ullmark in their net.
In 2015-16, Johnson signed a free agent deal and played 45 games in Buffalo. He posted a .920 save percentage and 2.36 GAA.
Last summer, Johnson signed a free agent deal with Calgary, where he posted a 2.59 GAA and .910 save percentage in 36 games.m
Is Lehner now trade bait for Buffalo?
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